Quantum Monte Carlo Study of Symmetry Breaking in a Double-Well Chain

  • J. E. Gubernatis
  • D. K. Campbell
  • Xidi Wang
Chapter

Abstract

We report the results of a quantum Monte Carlo simulation of a double-well chain. This chain is a system of particles that move on a lattice of symmetric, double-well potentials which are coupled harmonically to one another. The physical properties of this system are invariant, like those of the the Ising model, under the symmetry operations of the Z 2 group. In this case, changing the sign of the displacement variables leaves the energy unchanged and leads to a doubly-degenerate ground-state. Classically, this symmetry is always broken, and the particles all sit in the left- or the right-hand side of their wells. Quantum mechanically, however, we find that below a critical value of the double-well coupling constant the symmetry is restored by quantum fluctuations.

Keywords

Alamos National Laboratory Quantum Fluctuation Monte Carlo Step Metropolis Algorithm Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1992

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. E. Gubernatis
    • 1
  • D. K. Campbell
    • 2
  • Xidi Wang
    • 2
  1. 1.Theoretical DivisionLos Alamos National LaboratoryLos AlamosUSA
  2. 2.Center for Nonlinear StudiesLos Alamos National LaboratoryLos AlamosUSA

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